UK English language schools receive a welcome boost – Tourists and business people now allowed to study English in the UK

Share Article

Great news for UK English language schools. A new visa rule permits visitors to the UK, on either a tourist or business visa, to study English when they are here on a visit or on business.

St George International

Visitors can study in one six week block, or smaller blocks of time, provided the study period doesn’t exceed six weeks.

London, UK (PRWEB UK)3 October 2013

Up to six weeks study

A new visa rule came in to force on Tuesday October 1st which permits visitors to the UK, on either a tourist or business visa, to study English when they are here on a visit or on business. In effect, this new ruling means visitors, within these visa categories, can study up to six weeks at an accredited and government approved English language school. Visitors can study in one six week block, or smaller blocks of time, provided the study period doesn’t exceed six weeks.

Crazy rule

For many years now, the UK English language teaching (ELT) industry has bemoaned the irrational and commercially damaging ruling that, on the one hand, allowed a visitor to the UK to do a pottery course or learn how to ride a horse but, on the other hand, prohibited that same visitor from taking an English language course, the language of the country being visited.

English UK delighted
Tony Millns, The Chief Executive of English UK, the world’s leading language association, said accredited English centres would be delighted with the change. In reference to business visitors, Mr Millns added, "Our members get many requests from people here on business to brush up their business English and negotiation skills, but they must currently turn them away because study is not permitted on a business visitor visa. This is a sensible move to end the current anomalous situation.”

Welcome news to hard-hit industry

This news of the relaxation of the visitor visa rules is a welcome boost to an industry that has been hard-hit in recent years by a combination of stifling visa rules, stiff competition from other English language destinations, such as the US and Australia, and an Olympic summer that was a complete wash-out commercially (particularly in London) for language schools. The Olympic summer seemed to keep everyone away other than well-heeled sports fans.

Accredited centres to benefit most

Importantly, courses can only be taken at centres who are accredited by approved bodies, such as the British Council or ISI within the English language school sector. One such school, St George International ( SGI) who have been operating from Central London for over fifty years are delighted with the news. Max Loach SGI’s School Principal said, “This is excellent news! Instead of the ludicrous situation where we have UK visitors walking into our school only to be told they are not allowed to study we can now welcome them with open arms. At last, common sense prevails!”

Britain open for business

In recent times, the Government has often been heard saying, that Britain is ‘open for business’ and that it welcomes overseas visitors. Up to now, that message has seemed a little hollow but perhaps we can start believing what they say.